Interview with Stylist Candice Van Haltren

Candice Van Haltren is a professional fashion stylist based in Perth, Australia with vast experience in commercial and personal styling. I feel honored to get to know more about this creative and passionate soul behind CVH STYLING:

Briefly describe your own personal style.

My style always changes, as I'm always getting inspiration from different things. Sometimes its edgy, sometimes classic and polished, sometimes glam.

What is one definite MUST-HAVE item in your closet? And in your fridge?

Jeans – they go with so much. Dark denim is preferable, you can dress them up or down and they can be worn in so many ways (skinny jeans are the most versatile). My fridge always needs to have cheese!! Cheese goes with everything, grilled cheese sandwiches, on top of pasta, home made pizza, omelettes, etc.

Photographer: Luo Qi | Model: One of the top 12 girls from the Para Licious Calender 2011 Search | Stylist: Candice Van Haltren | Makeup Artist: Penny Ngu | Hair Stylist: Maree Giglia

Where do you get your inspirations from?

It's really just a creative thing, I don’t forcefully try and find inspirations in say, magazine. I may see a catalogue or a piece of ribbon and be inspired by it.

Tell us about your most memorable styling project.

The Cebiche swimwear shoot was definitely one of my favourites. I was styling alongside my friend and fellow stylist Karamea and it was very glamorous – set in the most gorgeous house I think I have ever seen! It was the kind of shoot you wish all shoots were like... lots of stunning models, everyone organised and easy to get along with, great positive attitudes and gorgeous swimwear and jewellery.

Photographer: Ben Riches | Models: Holly, Amanda, Jade, Paige & Loren | Styling: Candice Van Haltren & Karamea of DeA Styling | Makeup Artists: Claire Luu & Shelly Meyer of Minx Cosmetics | Hair stylists: Tia & Jo of Cafe Styles Fremantle

CVH Styling - 5 years from now?

Maybe still in Perth, maybe not, I'm going to have a lot of fun seeing where things take me and where I end up. I do love Melbourne and would love to work over there, but I do love so much about Perth, I think it will always be my hometown!

Photographer: Photographer - Luo Qi @ Fashion Heir | Accessory Stylist: Candice Van Haltren

Interview with Stylist Clare Byrne

Photographer Emily Abay | Stylist Clare Byrne | Makeup Jaclyn H | Model Mel @ Bookings London

Tell us about yourself and your styling background.

I currently live in Sydney, Australia; although I am originally from a property about 4 hours North-West of here. I studied Public Relations at university and graduated last year. At the moment I am working part-time and collaborating closely with a couple of really talented photographers on fashion projects.

How do you describe your own personal style?

My daily style is fairly consistent. I like shirts and nicely cut trousers. I'm not sure why but I never wear skirts. I have a vast collection of shorts. Apart from my casio watch, I wear no jewelery. I'm inclined to accessorise through textures in garments (leathers/ wool/ draping), rather than bling. This could all change at any given time, honestly.

CULTURE Magazine | Photographer Amanda Lim | Stylist Clare Byrne | Makeup Anastasia Pappas | Model Eve @ Viviens

Where do you get your inspirations from?

A poorly organised mental collection of movie scenes, book chapters, pictures, photographs and songs. I recently traveled to South America and will be drawing on the colours, prints and culture of Buenos Aires in an upcoming project. I’m lucky to be surrounded by creative people. My mother is an artist and she's quite quirky, so this must have had some impact on me early on. The people I work with inspire me and I like bouncing ideas off them.

FURTHER AWAY | Photography Viktor Nilsson | Styling Clare Byrne | Make-Up T-Honey Fisher | Model Mia @ Pricillas

How and when did you know you wanted to be a stylist?

I never studied styling and had no intention to work in fashion until quite recently. While at university, I began working part time for a number of designers as an in-house model, fitting garments as they built their collections. The creative process interested me, from the first toile of a dress in calico to the final sample. I got swept up in it all. Late last year I entered a national styling competition on a whim and was a finalist – eventually placing runner-up. I suppose this is when I technically ‘started’, although I fell into it gradually.

Tell us about your most memorable styling project.

I’m going to be boring and say I haven’t got one that really stands out. Although during a shoot at a beach, our model almost fell off the edge of the rocks. It was my fault as I was trying to take off her shoe in a hurry. She looked terrified - I’ll never forget that!

Last but not least, here's a clip of a styling competition that Clare participated in where she placed runner-up. Enjoy!

Interview with Aspiring Stylist Camilla Sossi

(Styled by Camilla Sossi)

"If you can imagine it you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it." - Ward, William Arthur

Camilla Sossi is an Italian aspiring stylist based in London, where she currently attends Istituto Marangoni. She will soon complete her diploma in Fashion Styling and hopes to start working in the city of London this summer.

Camilla has been fascinated with fashion ever since she was a child, but it was only a few years ago that she started to seriously consider a career in the field. As a matter of fact, she first studied architecture for a year before realizing that it is not the right track for her. Led by strong passion and desire, she then did further research about careers in fashion and fashion schools. Her hard work and perseverance paid off, as she soon discovered the course she is currently attending. Camilla feels positive about her decision to change courses, and hasn't looked back since.

(Styled by Camilla Sossi)

Camilla defines her style as minimal and essential, but chic at the same time. Her inspirations come from everything that surrounds her - books, art, fashion magazines, photography - but above all she is highly inspired by the street, where she would gather ideas from situations, details, impressions and lifestyle in general.

Camilla remembers her most exciting styling project: during Milan Man Fashion Week, where she worked as an assistant fashion stylist for a photo shoot for Black Book Magazine. It was an important moment for her as it was her first big job experience.

(Styled by Camilla Sossi)

Interview with Stylist Lyndzi Trang

Lyndzi Trang, a stylist based in Los Angeles, California, is the epitome of determination. Despite starting her career in styling only last year, deep passion and hard work has led her to amazing opportunities and her name is quickly getting recognized within the industry. DISTRIKMODE feels honored to get to know more about the positive and passionate soul behind LYNDZISTYLES:

1. Lyndzi's style in 3 words?

Detailed. Simplistic. Versatile.

2. Where do you get your inspirations from?
Magazines (W Magazine, V Magazine, Vogue Italia & Paris, Dansk, VS, etc.) and fashion blogs (Design Scene, CaliKartel, Nitrolicious, Fashion Gone Rogue, etc.). However, they're more for me to see what the latest trends are in fashion, photography, lighting, etc... When I style and work, the client's personality and individuality are my inspirations. I study their work prior and/or research their background and incorporate who they are in my own style intake and approach.

3. You've only been styling since 2009, yet you've gained a lot of recognition and support from the industry. What's the secret?
I feel blessed and grateful to receive such recognition and support. Honestly, my secret is that I never stop working! I work everyday, but how can I call it work when it's my passion. It's rare for people to wake up everyday doing what they love and I'm so fortunate to have found my passion. I take in every opportunity that comes my way good or bad and make the best out of it because you will never know what the end results may be. I don't believe in regrets nor failure because there will never be a shortage of possibilities.

4. Tell us about your most memorable styling project.
My most memorable project would be styling actress Tia Carrere at her beautiful home in Topanga Canyon, California. She was my first big full production shoot and first "big" celebrity shoot as well. The photographer and makeup/hair artist were also both represented by my top-notch creative agencies and here I was, barely starting.

I was extremely nervous yet determined to ensure that the entire team will be pleased, especially our client Tia. I had always heard crazy stories about working with celebrities but Tia is definitely NOT one of them. She was one of the sweetest persons I had ever worked with. She even prepared lunch for the team and crew! I was highly impressed and glad to know that she was as what she appears in her work - intelligent, humble, reserved, and friendly. Towards the end of the shoot, she had asked me to style an upcoming red-carpet event she was attending. I felt so honored.

After the photographer sent the finalized retouched images, Tia called and left me the most amazing voicemail commending my styling and tastes. I had it saved on my phone for the longest time. It definitely motivated and strengthened my confidence in this dog-eat-dog industry. Thanks to her encouraging words and many others, I know this is my profound destiny.


5. What do you do when you're not working and styling?

Haha, that's rare... but I LOVE to catch up with my family and friends. They mean everything to me. I also like to watch movies (in theaters), go to the gym, lay out on the beach... the usual fun everyday activities.

6. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
In 5 years, I hope to establish my name within the creative industry in the realms of celebrity, print, advertising, and special events. I also plan to establish my own fashion PR firm with my business partner, Mazel Higa in Los Angeles, California. Currently I am the co-founder and community manager of ModelURL, an online community network of creative artists. I am confident that this site will be flourishing by then and be the next, best, and last resource for anyone aspiring to be in this industry.

Watch Lyndzi in action in the video below, where she styled for ViViD Magazine Winter Editorial Shoot (documented by Matt Rodgers):

Claudia Jordan in NIKOLAKI/Nick Verreos for "Butterfly" Photoshoot

Fabulous ClaudiaPink Butterfly: Claudia Jordan in NIKOLAKI silk cowl-draped asymmetrical gown

Miss Universe 2009 co-host, Deal Or No Deal model, and Celebrity Apprentice contestant Claudia Jordan, recently had a photo shoot for the cover of a new upcoming novel, "Butterfly". One of my very good friends, stylist Art Conn, was working with her for the shoot and came by my showroom to see if there were some NIKOLAKI gowns that could work. Give Me a Look: Claudia Jordan in NIKOLAKI gown, "Butterfly" photo shoot

Art is a great stylist who has dressed many a celeb, including singer Jordin Sparks and styled most of the guys in last season's American Idol, including fashion "DIVA", finalist Adam Lambert.Claudia Jordan and stylist, Art Conn, on the set of the "Butterfly" photo shoot

Art recently sent me these behind-the-scenes photos (which he took) from Claudia's photo shoot, in which she wore one of my gowns, a bubblegum pink silk crepe-back asymmetrical gown with "Butterfly"cascade back ruffles. He said that she "shut it down" when she walked on the set. Love it! I think the color--and style--looks fab on her!